Inquest reveals mother choked to death after a mix up at a Harley Street hospital

29 Nov 2013

Inquest reveals mother choked to death after a mix up at a Harley Street hospital

Mrs Mesfin died at the private hospital, Harley Street at University College Hospital, where she was being treated for breast cancer. She was 43 years old and a mother to a 5 year old daughter. The Coroner’s pathologist prepared a post mortem report suggesting Mrs Mesfin died because of the cancer and there was nothing suspicious about her death at that time.

Mrs Mesfin’s husband did not accept his wife had been at death’s door because of the cancer. Nothing had been said to them to suggest she could die very soon from the cancer and he was very concerned to establish why exactly she had suddenly collapsed. We were able to persuade to the Coroner to obtain further expert evidence about the cause of death. This led to the cause of death being identified as the tablet which Mrs Mesfin took immediately before she collapsed.

It came out during the Inquest that a doctor had told the nurse that Mrs Mesfin should not take that tablet. Mrs Mesfin’s husband is taking legal proceedings to establish the circumstances in which Mrs Mesfin took the tablet despite that doctor’s instruction.

The Coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Fieldfisher Solicitors, who handled the case said

"This was a difficult Inquest for the family because the Coroner's pathologist's initial report pointed to death being due to natural causes from the cancer that Mrs Mesfin had. Mr Hailegiorgis knew in his own mind something else had happened. He welcomes the fact that the correct cause of death was identified. "

The case was reported in the Evening Standard. To find out more click here.